North Macedonia vs. Germany live buildup: Manuel Neuer set to return as Germany aim to seal World Cup spot | DW | 10.10.2021

North Macedonia vs Germany, Monday October 11, 20:45 CEST

Refresh page for live updates shortly before kickoff

Neuer returns

Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is set to start for Germany in North Macedonia having missed the 2-1 victory over Romania with a muscle issue. Marc-andre ter Stegen stepped in as Germany conceded their first goal in the Hansi Flick era, going behind to an early strike by Hagi in Hamburg. Neuer is back in training ahead of the game in Skopje and look likely to win his 107th international cap.

Full circle?

North Macedonia will always be a game associated with the shock victory the international minnows inflicted on Germany in March of this year. It was a result that ended Germany’s 17-game winning streak in qualifying games and signaled a nadir in Joachim Löw’s tenure as Germany coach. But with Germany six points clear of their opponents heading into Monday’s game, three points against the team that humbled them in Duisburg would put Hansi Flick’s team on the plane to Qatar.

Germany have enjoyed an uptick in form since Hansi Flick took over

‘I don’t look to the past’

Flick was asked in the pre-game press conference about the scars of that defeat by Monday’s opponents, but he was quick to banish it to history.

“I think the atmosphere in Skopje will be fiery. The North Macedonian team will be fully motivated. They want to protect their chances of qualifying and with their win in Germany they now have more confidence,” Flick said.

“This team knows how to play football, they have skilled players in the squad. So we have to show our own qualities and that will be decisive.

“I do not look back at the past,” Flick replied when asked about Germany’s defeat to North Macedonia. “We want to have our own philosophy on the pitch, to play united, remain active. We want to win and qualify as quickly as possible for the World Cup.”

The Flick effect

Germany have enjoyed an uptick in form since Hansi Flick’s arrival as national team coach, winning all four games they’ve played under him, enjoying a ratio of 14 to 1 goals for/against. While Germany are yet to be properly tested under Flick, North Macedonia’s coach Bagoja Milevski believes Germany are better under their new coach.

Blagoja Milevski is hoping for a repeat of North Macedonia’s famous win over Germany in March 2021.

Check out Milevski’s exclusive interview with DW here.

Probable lineups

North Macedonia: Dimitrievski – Ristovski, Velkovski, Ristevski, Alioski – Elmas, Kostadinov, Spirovski, Churlinov – Bardhi

Germany: Neuer – Hofmann, Süle, Rüdiger, Kehrer – Kimmich, Goretzka – Sane, Reus, Gnabry – Werner